GOVERNOR DAYTON'S ACTION PLAN

Stop the Spread of Asian Carp Into Minnesota Waters

September 12, 2011

THE ISSUE

Whereas Asian carp have had a destructive impact on the ecology and fisheries in other states; Whereas Asian carp pose an imminent threat to Minnesota's lakes and rivers, because they are advancing northward in the Mississippi River at an alarming rate and are poised to enter southern Minnesota from Iowa lakes and streams; and
Whereas Minnesota's local economies and cultures depend on the health of its aquatic resources; Therefore, Governor Dayton empowers his executive agencies to pursue the following actions:

THE ACTIONS

Support a cooperative approach among state and federal agencies to limit the spread of Asian carp in Minnesota and its border waters;

Recognize that the Asian carp invasion is an urgent issue requiring immediate action and work together to obtain necessary funding and authority to support efforts to limit the spread of Asian carp in Minnesota and its border waters;

Formally charter a multi-organizational Asian Carp Task Force to facilitate strategic discussions, conduct collaborative problem solving, and provide recommendations to state and federal agencies on how to limit the spread of Asian carp into Minnesota;

Support immediate congressional action to give the Army Corps of Engineers emergency authority to close the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock, and Lock and Dam #1, if Asian carp are detected nearby;

Support immediate congressional action to fund a feasibility study that examines the economic, ecological, recreational, legal, and operational impacts of making Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock a permanent fish barrier; and